Mayor orders stoppage of illegal construction works in Guimaras 'paradise' resort
The entrance to La Puerta El Paraiso in Nueve Valencia,
Guimaras which is still undergoing construction.
Construction and development works of a multi-million investment in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras have now been stopped as per order of the town mayor.
The government sanction is a result of the developers' failure to secure basic necessary requirements imposed on any construction and development works.
In a phone interview, Mayor Alejandro Araneta confirmed the stoppage saying an initial Notice of Illegal Construction was not heeded. Further still, the mayor disclosed, a penalty will be imposed on the developers cum owners albeit no specific amount has yet been set.
Added verification is underway with the mayor sending a team from the municipal engineer's office to ascertain the extent of construction done alongside the corresponding fines entailed.
What the mayor was initially told though was that "at least 60%" in fines and penalties provided in the town's building code are to be expected.
"It will be computed per square meter that they had the construction work plus they are now under strict instructions not to add any more works there. That remains until they comply with what is being required. The contractor only sent us a blueprint of the project so far," Mayor Araneta added.
As such, workers from Cebu City brought in by CDC Contractors had to stay put pending compliance of the required documents and government permits.
The (mis) development came days after Mayor Araneta got validation of major construction in the property located at Barangay San Roque. Insiders said the violation which took months to finally be addressed occurred primarily because no construction works are easily visible from the entrance.
Major works as now reported in both print and broadcast media showed construction in the back beachfront part of the property. Sightseers however are treated to a magnificent front view of the landscaped entrance and driveway, the mini-golf, and three mushroom-like 'huts' on top of a hill.
In an earlier The News Today (TNT) interview, Mayor Araneta stressed that Nueva Valencia has nothing against any and all sound investments here. Yet these, he pointed out, must adhere to government rules and regulations, basic construction permits especially included.
A Helen Clarke with a foreign business partner was identified by the mayor as the owners, Clarke being a balikbayan (returning resident) with similar investments in New Zealand.
Clarke was present in the meeting called Monday by the mayor. The mayor said Clarke was told by the municipal engineer of the illegal construction uncovered by the municipality. Further still, she was also reminded that every construction thereat must have a corresponding building permit. The mayor was told by Clarke that money has been given to the contractor for the payments of the permits. She claimed innocence on the violations saying she trusted her contractor on the matter.
Mayor Araneta told TNT that he made a site visit Sunday and saw for himself the developments in the resort.
"Pagsulod ko kita ko nga may nakabutang nga P200 adults, P50 children nga entrance fee. Ginmangkot ko sila siling sang hinablos niya nga caretaker man didto kay kuno indi nila mapunggan ang mga tawo magsulod so ginbutang ato (Upon my entry, I saw this sign stating P200 for adults and P50 children entrance fee. I asked around and the caretaker said they did that to deter sightseers from requesting entry that's why they were forced to do it). I ordered them to get the sign," the mayor added.
At least 36 hectares are said to be included in the business venture, some 30 kilometers from capital town of Jordan.
Hazel Pontero, a caretaker cum landscaper of the multi-million investment told visiting reporters last week that clearing operations of the once forested area began in July last year. By October, initial construction started which now have the sprawling site of the mini-golf, beautifully-made landscaping works, buildings of two-room cemented villas and yet another clearing operation for the owner's residence.
Pontero shared that a total of 48 villas will be constructed altogether located at the back portion of the property facing the islets.
Next phase of the construction will see the Presidential and Honeymoon Suites, Pontero added, with a perfect location likewise on top of a hill with a full view of the sunrise and sunset. Further still is the exclusive Korean Village with some 100 cottages cum townhouses, a two-storey condotel (condominium-hotel), two swimming pools, one an "eternity pool" by the white-sand beachfront and a coffee-shop and resto-bar inside a cave. A turtle island will also form part of the attraction here with the three islets facing the mainland of the property connected with wooden floating bamboo bridges.
Construction foreman is Frank Lanoy with the resort called La Puerta El Paraiso (The door to paradise).